October 24, 2026
MP launches survey to gauge electorate’s priorities
Local News

MP launches survey to gauge electorate’s priorities

LYNE MP Alison Penfold has launched “Lyne’s Biggest Survey”, an electorate-wide consultation over local priorities. The survey is being delivered to households across the Lyne electorate. “This survey is about giving a voice to the concerns of each and every Lyne resident, whether you live in the big centres of the electorate, the small towns, […]

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Stargazing: Dreamtime astronomy
Community

Stargazing: Dreamtime astronomy

HAVE you ever wondered who the first astronomers were? What an interesting question. Astronomy is the oldest science, but it’s also the newest. Everything we know about the night sky has been passed down through history, and we find the oldest continuous culture on Earth, the Australian Aboriginal people, were very likely the world’s first […]

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Council hosting another series of Community Conversations
Community

Council hosting another series of Community Conversations

MIDCOAST Council is calling on residents, community groups, and business owners to attend the next round of “Community Conversations”. A series of open forums have been scheduled, designed to give locals a chance to hear from and talk to councillors and senior council staff in person. These upcoming sessions provide an opportunity for the community […]

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Senate releases report into climate change disinformation
Local News

Senate releases report into climate change disinformation

THE Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy recently released its report about the causes and effects of climate change disinformation. The report was welcomed by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), which warns that lies are already harming communities. The ACF wants tougher action to stop falsehoods derailing climate progress. ACF […]

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Thursday Walkers pound the pavement through March Getting wet on the way to Johnson’s Beach. Photo: Jane.
Community, Health

Thursday Walkers pound the pavement through March

Newcastle’s spacious new art gallery was a March destination. Photo: Bea. Newcastle’s spacious new art gallery was a March destination. Photo: Bea. Getting wet on the way to Johnson’s Beach. Photo: Jane. WALKING has become an apt pastime with recent world events, and the Thursday Walkers group has relished the regular return to their long-established […]

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Bitou Busters begin season with strong turnout Before the Bitou Busters: Volunteer Adrienne Ingram helped remove invasive asparagus fern beside Peter Sinclair Gardens.
Community

Bitou Busters begin season with strong turnout

Before the Bitou Busters: Volunteer Adrienne Ingram helped remove invasive asparagus fern beside Peter Sinclair Gardens. Bitou Busters volunteers Trish and Brian show what a morning of work can achieve. The rest of the Bitou Busters team win another asparagus weed battle. ELEVEN enthusiastic Bitou Buster volunteers braved unseasonable cold and strong winds at their […]

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Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity University of Newcastle’s Belinda Peden of HMRI’s Population Health Research program.
School

Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity

NEW research suggests most Australians support a simple change that could significantly boost children’s physical activity levels: letting students wear sports uniforms every day. The majority of young Australians are still not active enough, despite well-established evidence that regular physical activity improves children’s physical and mental health. Schools are seen as an important setting to […]

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Stinker’s History: Port Stephens boat register Working boats ‘Stella Maris’, ‘Ventura’ and ‘Ivy May’ played a major role in the growth and development of the oyster industry. Photo taken circa 1975.
Local News

Stinker’s History: Port Stephens boat register

THE Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) is asking members of the Port Stephens community to contribute their knowledge to establish a record of all working boats moored in the port. They are interested in the boats involved, throughout history, in the oyster industry, fish and prawn trawlers along with lobster boats, ferries and supply boats. Long […]

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Council issues update on roads and capital works
Government

Council issues update on roads and capital works

MIDCOAST councillors viewed reports on the progress and expenditure of capital works and roadworks programs at council’s last Ordinary Meeting. As of 13 March, Council is 70 percent of the way through the 2025-26 financial year, while the total maintenance expenditure is at just over 74 percent of the budget. Council says the effects of […]

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Maintaining clear access to water meters Meter readers have reportedly been encountering a variety of obstacles across the region.
Community

Maintaining clear access to water meters

MIDCOAST Council is asking residents to make life easier for its staff by maintaining clear access to water meters. According to Council, meter readers have been encountering a variety of obstacles across the region as they undertake their quarterly readings, with the most common hindrances being water meters enclosed behind fences or overgrown by plants […]

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